FC Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta was named UEFA’s Best European Player in Europe for his performances across all competitions last season. In taking one of the highest honors the sport has to offer, Iniesta beat out fellow cule Lionel Messi and arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid. The competition, based on a poll of 53 journalists from across Europe, had narrowed the field to these three finalists. The final results were made public during Thursday’s draw for the initial phase of the Champions League. In the end Iniesta received 19 votes, compared with 17 for both Messi and Ronaldo.